B.C. punk rocker accused of smuggling drugs valued at $7 million into Japan

A 44-year-old Vancouver musician is facing jail time after being arrested for smuggling $7 million worth of drugs into Japan last month.

Daniel Burton Whitmore, a punk rock and heavy metal musician who performs under the name Dan Scum, was arrested Dec. 11 at Narita International Airport in Tokyo, according to Japan Today. Japanese police say they found 9.8 kilograms of stimulant drugs beneath a false bottom of a guitar case and in multiple tea canisters.

Whitmore, who arrived in Japan on a flight from Vancouver, was charged with violating the Stimulants Control Law and the Japanese Customs Law.

Daniel Burton Whitmore, aka Dan Scum, was found to have 9.8 kilograms of stimulant drugs concealed inside a guitar case upon arrival at the Tokyo airport on Dec. 11.

According to Japanese Customs, Whitmore entered the country by stating his visit was for sightseeing purposes.

Customs officers reportedly became suspicious of Whitmore when they noticed him sweating profusely. “I was supposed to carry a guitar case as requested by a Chinese-based person in Canada,” Whitmore told police, as reported by Japanese media. “I was scheduled to deliver it to a hotel in Narita City.”

A Dec. 9 posting on Whitmore’s Facebook page reads: “Are you an Asian drug dealer? Because you’re bringing me down.”

Whitmore is the lead singer of Vancouver’s Power Clown, an Iron Maiden cover band whose members perform in clown makeup.